Howell 5th Grader Makes Mark At National Chess Tournament
February 17, 2009
WHMI – Howell, MI, USA
2/17/09 – A Howell 10 year old has made his mark at a national chess tournament.
Earlier this month we told you about Andrew O’Doherty, who was turning some heads in the chess world with his level of play, which included a clean sweep of five games at a state tournament at Michigan State University.
This past weekend, the Charyl Stockwell Academy 5th grader traveled to Arizona to participate in the Susan Polgar National Chess Tournament to put talent on the line against players from across the country and by all accounts, again made an impressive showing; winning four out of the 7 games he played and coming out ranked as 28th in the nation in the boys 3-5th grade division.
That doesn’t come as much of a surprise to Andrew’s chess tutor, Matthew Trujillo, the men’s Class E Michigan chess champion in 2008. He has said that Andrew’s talent as a chess player just needed focus to really take hold.
Andrew’s mom, Lori O’Doherty, says they are thrilled with Andrew’s success at his first national tournament, which was followed a quick vacation to the Grand Canyon, but are ready to come home.
She and her husband Kevin help run a free chess club on Monday nights that’s open to all ages at Howelling Coffee in Howell. (JK)
Well done.